State of New Jersey

PHILIP D. MURPHY GOVERNOR

SHEILA Y. OLIVER LT. GOVERNOR

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF HIGHER EDUCATION P.O. BOX 542

TRENTON, NJ 08625-0542

TELEPHONE: (609) 292-4310

FAX: (609) 292-7225

E-mail: oshe@oshe.nj.gov

ZAKIYA SMITH ELLIS, ED.D. SECRETARY OF HIGHER EDUCATION

COVID-19: A Guide for New Jersey Institutions of Higher Education

UPDATED: March 24, 2020

As New Jersey continues to monitor the evolving outbreak of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its

impact on communities, guidance will continue to be published and updated on the New Jersey Department of

Health’s webpage: NJDOH’s COVID-19 Information for Schools and Businesses available at

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_schoolbusiness.shtml. This supplementary guidance provided

by the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) is intended to help institutions plan and

prepare for the possibility of community-level outbreaks and potential for a confirmed on-campus case.

Immediate action steps.

o Pursuant to Executive Order No. 107 (which supersedes EO 104), issued by Governor Murphy

on March 21, 2020, institutions of higher education shall continue to cease in-person instruction

beginning on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 and shall cease such in-person instruction as long as

Executive Order No. 107 remains in effect.

o In addition, Executive Order No. 107 cancels all gatherings of persons in the State of New Jersey

unless otherwise authorized by EO No. 107, excluding normal operations at airports, bus and

train stations, medical facilities, office environments, factories, assemblages for the purpose of

industrial or manufacturing work, construction sites, mass transit, or the purchase of groceries or

consumer goods.

o Institutions in possession of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), ventilators, respirators, or

anesthesia machines that are not required for the provision of critical health care services should

undertake an inventory of supplies and send that information to the state by no later than 5pm on

Friday, March 27. This information should be sent to: ppedonations@njsp.org.

o Institutions should transition to remote instruction immediately if they have not done so already;

o Institutions should limit in-person interaction on campus as much as possible. This includes:

Immediately closing all libraries and computer labs,

Limiting in-person gatherings of students, faculty, or staff,

Discouraging communal dining and moving to “grab-and-go” meal options.

Restricting access to community gathering places, such as athletic facilities, student

centers, campus commons, theaters, art galleries, and other such areas; and

Moving to telework and remote work environments for as many employees and staff as

possible.

o Institutions should convene their emergency management team immediately, if they have not

already done so, and the teams should continue to meet on an ongoing regular basis.

o Each team should be reviewing, updating, and implementing the institution’s Emergency

Operations Plan (EOP). As part of this process, institutions should:

Assess whether their EOP is sufficient to address the COVID-19 situation as it evolves.

As a reminder, N.J.S.A. 18A:3B-69(a)(1) specifically requires that the EOP

addresses pandemics;

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Implement remote learning, including making accommodations for those who lack access

to either the technology or broadband internet needed to participate in online instruction

and making accommodations for students with disabilities;

Implement plans to include considerations for students who are already be food or

housing insecure and who may suffer a disproportionate impact from the evolving

situation;

Review and implement plans for the continuity of business and operations at the

institution.

Updating EOPs. o N.J.S.A. 18A:3B-69 requires each institution to update their EOP once every five years or

immediately when an emergency incident occurs at an institution.

o Institutions should have provided the most recently updated EOP for the institution to OSHE for

review by March 15, 2020. If institutions have not submitted their EOPs, they should do so as

soon as possible. As institutions update their EOPs, they should continue to send their most up-

to-date EOPs to OSHE.

o OSHE is reviewing each EOP in consultation with the Office of Homeland Security and

Preparedness, the State Office of Emergency Management, and the New Jersey Department of

Health.

Recommended Best Practices. o Institutions should contact local health agencies in order to provide the institution’s EOP to the

local health agencies.

o Institutions can visit the DOH’s interactive local health directory map to determine the local

health authority within their jurisdiction. The interactive map is available at

https://www.nj.gov/health/lh/community/index.shtml.

o Institutional leadership should monitor daily the New Jersey Department of Health, Centers for

Disease Control, U.S. Department of Education (https://www.ed.gov/coronavirus), and World

Health Organization websites in order to obtain the most up-to-date information on this rapidly

evolving situation.

o Institutions should postpone or cancel study abroad programs.

o Institutions should be flexible in making accommodations for students and employees who may

be subject to quarantine.

o Institutions should commit to raising awareness of the facts surrounding COVID-19 and to

prevent stigmas related to COVID-19 from manifesting in their communities. The CDC

maintains a useful webpage with information about the potential stigma related to the

coronavirus at:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/related-stigma.html.

o Institutions should include a ‘Coronavirus Update’ section on their websites to help ensure that

stakeholders are receiving factual information from the institution and that institutions are being

transparent in regard to all coronavirus-related actions taken. Regular updates to the campus

community should be provided by the institution on a regular basis. General information that

may be useful in regard to Coronavirus Update can be found on the NJDOH webpage at:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_community.shtml

OSHE will continue to share updated guidance and information as it becomes available. Institutions should

continue to coordinate with federal, state and local officials as they develop preparations and plans for this

rapidly evolving situation.

For additional clarification on potential questions related to New Jersey’s COVID-19 outbreak, please review

the following:

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NEW information/questions are at the start of this document.

A resource guide is provided at conclusion of document

How does the Governor’s most recent Executive Order impact higher education?

On March 21, Governor Murphy announced two new Executive Orders, which are available below:

- Executive Order 107: Governor Murphy directs all residents to stay at home until further notice

(https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-107.pdf)

- Executive Order 108: Governor Murphy invalidates any county or municipal restriction that in any way

will or might conflict with any of the provisions of Executive Order No. 107

(https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-108.pdf)

These Executive Orders supersede previous Executive Orders. This Executive Order continues the cease of in-

person education at higher education institutions. It places further restrictions for the health and safety of New

Jerseyans, including: all gatherings are canceled and all non-essential retail businesses must indefinitely close

their physical stores to the public. Institutions should limit their staff to essential employees for critical business

and should implement tele-work where possible. A full list of businesses allowed to remain open is available at

the COVID-19 Information Hub at covid19.nj.gov.

In addition, on March 23, Governor Murphy announced Executive Order 109

(https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-109.pdf) in which Governor Murphy suspends all elective

surgeries, invasive procedures to preserve essential equipment and hospital capacity. This Executive Order

requires all institutions of higher learning in possession of PPE, ventilators, respirators, or anesthesia machines

that are not required for the provision of critical health care services to undertake an inventory of such supplies

and send that information to the State by no later than 5:00pm on Friday, March 27, 2020. This information

should be submitted to the Office of Emergency Management.

What if institutions still have students that must remain on-campus due to material hardships or

extenuating circumstances? These students may continue to reside on campus and institutions remain able to serve students in residential

housing. Institutions should continue with appropriate cleaning protocols, encourage social distancing, make

sure students have appropriate contacts in case needed, and ensure students have the latest information about

state executive orders and directives regarding effective containment practices.

Can our institution still implement move-out for students without extenuating circumstances who are

leaving campus? Institutions are still able to conduct educational business under Executive Order 107, including providing for the

orderly move-out of residential students. In so doing, institutions should take all steps possible to protect the

health and safety of students, family, and staff during the move-out process, such as minimizing the number of

people moving out at one time, promoting social distancing throughout the process, and continuing to clean and

sanitize areas. Roommates should move out at separate staggered times. In addition, students who are unable to

move out during the dedicated time due to illness, considerable distance from the campus, or other hardship will

need to be allowed time to retrieve their belongings at a late date.

What is the status of state programs, like the Educational Opportunity Fund, NJ GEAR UP, Community

College Opportunity Grant, and College Readiness Now?

At this time, there should be no face-to-face contact with students in these higher education student support

programs; in-person events and meetings should be conducted virtually. If you feel that there is a need for such

contact, please connect with OSHE immediately at OSHE@OSHE.NJ.GOV. Institutions of higher education

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should be moving as much interaction to virtual service as possible. OSHE has been in touch with program

directors to make necessary adjustments to ensure continuity of program activities to the extent possible.

What is the recommendation for operating status of libraries on campus?

In addition to the previous directives regarding restaurants, bars, personal care businesses, gyms, movie

theatres, etc., on March 21, 2020, the State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan issued an Administrative Order No.

2020-3

(http://d31hzlhk6di2h5.cloudfront.net/20200321/07/0f/80/27/4b93947be2fb3591e3dc66d1/admin_order_2020-

3_libraries_final_3-20-20.pdf) that directs the immediate closure of all college and university libraries and

computer labs. This will remain in effect until this order is lifted.

What should institutions do for students who do not have access to internet or technology needed to

access internet?

Many institutions kept their libraries and computer labs open with limited use to assist students who did not

have access to internet and technology. In light of the evolving situation, institutions should try to determine

alternatives to assist students. This may include:

- Providing loaner laptops/computers to students,

- Providing students with a list of internet service providers who have begun to provide hotspots and free

or reduced-price services to individuals who may not otherwise be able to afford service.

If institutions cannot provide remote technology solutions for students and/or students are unable to access the

technology needed to complete their coursework, then students should be allowed to complete their coursework

at a later date.

For a list of potential internet resources during COVID-19, please see the list below. OSHE does not endorse

any of these providers, but is providing this information as a resource in good faith. This is not an exhaustive

list of providers providing services in response to COVID-19.

Comcast: https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19

AT&T: https://about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html

Verizon: https://vilsconnection.org/

Viasat: https://www.viasat.com/

Cox: https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/connect2compete/covid-19-response.html

TDS Telecommunications:

https://tdstelecom.com/about/news/categories/tds/TDSAnnouncesFreeBroadband.html

Spectrum: https://www.spectrum.com/

Is there a waiver process for exceptions to the Administrative Order to close libraries and computer labs

on campus? No, the administrative order does not allow for waivers or exceptions. While institutions are mandated to shut

down physical libraries and computer labs, libraries can still provide any remote-only services available.

Institutions should provide alternatives, such as loaner laptops, or extend deadlines for students who are unable

to complete coursework due to lack of technology or internet.

What should an institution do if a student has a complaint about these rapid changes or has an

extenuating circumstance?

Communication remains a key component of handling an emergency situation. Institutions should have

transparent means for their students to reach out regarding concerns and grievances they may be facing.

Institutions should also have a clear contact for students to reach out during this time regarding education

issues. OSHE created student point of contact flyers, available on OSHE’s COVID-19 resource webpage:

https://nj.gov/highereducation/COVID-19.shtml

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What’s the status of other common areas at institutions?

Of paramount concern is the safety and health of all residents. Institutions must ensure any spaces that remain

open are limited in use, cleaned regularly and according to protocols, and that the set-up and space allows for

social distancing. In deciding whether to keep a space open, an institution should continue monitoring the

evolving situation and work with the local department of health regarding local conditions.

For more information on social distancing, visit DOH’s website:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml

Our institution wants to help with the state response. What can we do or who should we reach out to?

Institutions have stepped up to help with the COVID-19 response in their communities and we greatly

appreciate the work happening across the state. As needed, agencies may reach out to institutions to serve as

testing sites, etc. Institutions should consider conducting inventory of any heath care/medical supplies on their

campus in event they close and are able to donate these to local facilities. Executive Order 109 directs all

institutions to submit an inventory of these supplies to NJ OEM by 5pm, Friday, March 27. If institutions are

unsure of where or how to donate, they should contact their local office of emergency management:

http://ready.nj.gov/about-us/county-coordinators.shtml. Institutions should also consider providing any

remaining food resources to local pantries if available and not in use on their campus.

Agencies are also requesting the availability of any nursing or other allied health (including social work)

students who may be available to fill any current needs within state governmental agencies. Any dean or

program director who is interested in pairing students with unmet needs in state government can contact

OSHE’s Director of Communications, Nicole Kirgan, at Nicole.Kirgan@oshe.nj.gov.

How can institutions support their hourly employees?

Institutions should try to continue to support their employees during this situation to the extent possible.

Institutions may want to consider if they can shift an employee’s work responsibilities (within reason) or check

with institutional foundations for additional support. We recognize this situation will cause financial hardship

for students, families, and organizations. Below is additional guidance and resources provided by both the State

and Federal Department of Labor:

New Jersey Department of Labor, What Employees Should Know: https://www.nj.gov/labor/worker-

protections/earnedsick/covid.shtml

US Department of Labor, Coronavirus Resources:

https://www.dol.gov/coronavirushttps://www.dol.gov/coronavirus

Are there mental health resources available to help students, staff, and faculty during this time?

We recognize this is a time of high anxiety and change for students, staff, and faculty. If you’re concerned about

your mental health, there is a free helpline available through NJMentalHealthCares which offers telephone

counseling, emotional support, information and assistance. The helpline is available 7 days per week from 8am-

8pm at 866-202-HELP (4357).

The New Jersey Department of Children and Families also has a crisis text line: text NJ to 74174. A trained

counselor will respond and help you through concerns.

With the shift to online, we’re noticing an increase in hacking and phishing schemes. What should we do?

Institutions with cybersecurity questions or concerns should contact their New Jersey Cybersecurity and

Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC).

GENERAL INQUIRIES

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Email: njccic@cyber.nj.gov

Phone: 1-833-4-NJCCIC (1-833-465-2242)

24/7 INCIDENT REPORTING Phone: 1-866-4-SAFE-NJ | 2-1-1

Incident Form: www.cyber.nj.gov/report

Data Breaches: https://www.cyber.nj.gov/breach

Reporting Guidelines: https://www.cyber.nj.gov/reporting-information

As a state institution, we have to hold tuition hearings. How should we continue doing this?

State statute requires some institutions to hold tuition hearings. Due to current guidelines, we recommend

tuition hearings be held via webinar or virtual meeting. While we recognize moderated webinars are not a

perfect substitute, it allows institutions to still reach out to constituents, while accounting for health and safety

in the current climate.

What are some resources we can utilize to help students who are deaf or hard of hearing as the university

transitions to online?

The NJ Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is able to assist education institutions on how to serve deaf

and hard of hearing participants. The Division maintains directors of certified sign language interpreters, tactile

interpreters for deaf-blind individuals, Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDIs) and professional real-time

transcription services such as CART. To access directories to ensure the provision of auxiliary aids and

services, see here: https://nj.gov/humanservices/ddhh/services/caption/.

For technical assistance on making online learning accessible for deaf and hard of hearing students or for any

other questions, please call (609)-588-2648 or email DDHH.communications2@dhs.nj.gov.

Following from previous guidance issued on March 17, 2020, please see potential questions related to

New Jersey’s COVID-19 outbreak:

Is it possible for classes with clinical or lab work components to be moved online?

For students in clinical rotations, institutions should consider placements and experiences that are safe, allow

for social distancing, and are coordinated with New Jersey Department of Health guidelines for general clinical

safety. For lab work, institutions should consider virtual methods of instruction, including but not limited to

virtual simulation activities. Institutions should postpone lab work or clinical activities if a safe, appropriate

educational alternative cannot be implemented.

On March 16, 2020 Governor Murphy ordered that all institutions of higher education shall cease in-person

instruction beginning on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, and shall cease such in-person instruction as long as the

Governor’s order remains in effect. The Governor further ordered that Secretary of the Office of Higher

Education shall have the authority to grant a waiver to allow in-person instruction to students on a case-by-case

basis where a compelling rationale to allow such access exists. If an institution would like to seek a waiver

from the Secretary to continue with in-person instruction, please contact oshe@oshe.nj.gov for more

information on how to obtain a waiver.

The full text of Executive Order No. 104 can be found at https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-

104.pdf. The cease of in-person instruction continues in Executive Order No. 107 and the full text can be found

at: https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-107.pdf

How will the institution accommodate students with disabilities who may not be able to access virtual

instructional materials, such as videos or other resources?

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Institutions must ensure equitable access to remote instruction is made available to students with disabilities, in

accordance with all state and federal laws regarding individuals with disability. Students with disabilities should

be provided accommodations allowing for the completion of all coursework as institutions move to remote

instruction. Institutions should work to provide such accommodations in consultation with their office

responsible for student disability services. Faculty should be supported by the institution in developing course

adaptations or accommodations as they transition online or remote instruction in compliance with the

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Institutions should make certain that all course materials are accessible

to students with disabilities, including but not limited to ensuring: documents compatibility with screen readers,

the use of closed captioning in videos, student participation in online video discussions, and the appropriate

accommodations required for testing. Students with disabilities should be provided with the contact

information for the office within the institution that is responsible for student disability services and encouraged

by the institution to contact that office if accommodations or other assistance may be needed.

Will the institution issue refunds for housing, unused food plans, courses, and other select fees?

Institution should have a refund policy in place that they communicate with students as soon as is practicable,

but before the end of the academic term. Guidance from the US Department of Education (ED) regarding

federal financial aid refund policy and other considerations for institutions of higher education regarding

COVID-19 related interruptions to study can be found here: https://ifap.ed.gov/electronic-

announcements/030520Guidance4interruptionsrelated2CoronavirusCOVID19

Should athletic programming continue? (Updated) All in-person athletic programs should be postponed or canceled until further notice.

Should institutions continue recruitment efforts, such as having prospective students visit the campus? These activities should either be cancelled, postponed until further notice, or continued through an alternate

(e.g. virtual) format.

How should the institution handle dual enrollment student participation?

Institutions should take action in alignment with their partnership agreements so that dual enrollment students

are offered an opportunity to complete coursework via distance education. OSHE recommends that all in-

person classes be provided via remote instruction or postponed until further notice.

Should institutions cancel planned commencement ceremonies? As this is a rapidly evolving situation, institutions should consider monitoring federal, state and local guidance

regarding the holding of large events. On March 16, 2020 Governor Murphy has ordered that all gatherings of

persons in the State of New Jersey shall be limited to 50 persons or fewer, excluding normal operations at

airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, office environments, factories, assemblages for the purpose of

industrial or manufacturing work, construction sites, mass transit, or the purchase of groceries or consumer

goods.

Accordingly, institutions may want to consider developing alternate plans in the event that Governor Murphy’s

order continues through the institution’s planned date for commencement.

How will student organizations, such as student government or other clubs and groups, continue to

convene?

OSHE recommends that all in-person meetings that were originally scheduled to occur on campus be conducted

virtually, if possible.

Should the institution cancel all of our events on campus? (Updated)

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The Governor ordered that all gatherings of persons in the State of New Jersey shall be cancelled, excluding

normal operations at airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, office environments, factories,

assemblages for the purpose of industrial or manufacturing work, construction sites, mass transit, or the

purchase of groceries or consumer goods.

These measures are being taken as part of the Murphy Administration's coordinated response to the continued

outbreak and to aggressively mitigate the spread of the virus. Institutions should consider hosting events and

meetings virtually or remotely, to the extent possible. Additionally, for any event or meeting, no matter the

size, OSHE recommends that the institution encourage and facilitate responsible hygiene practices by all

attendees, such as washing hands routinely, staying home if you do not feel well, and keeping a six-foot

minimum distance from other attendee.

What is the guidance for institutions regarding employees working on campus? (Updated)

Institutions should institute a telecommuting or remote work policy for all non-essential business. For

employees that still need to come to campus to perform their essential duties, institutions should limit large

gatherings and encourage social distancing practices, such as convening meetings via conference call.

How should universities handle complaints, conduct hearings, adjudications, investigations, and other

university policy-related proceedings during a school closure or transition to distance learning?

Institutions should consider ways to conduct any in-person activities virtually, while maintaining compliance

with all federal and/or state laws, including timely notifications about hearings to stakeholders involved.

Students, faculty, and staff should have clear instructions on how to report or submit formal complaints (i.e.

Title IX violations) during a school closure.

Following from previous guidance issued on March 11, 2020, please see potential questions related to

New Jersey’s COVID-19 outbreak:

How should institutions of higher education prepare for the coronavirus? The emergency management teams at each institution should be meeting regularly to discuss, implement and

update the EOP. Each plan should include the identification of essential functions, programs, and personnel;

procedures to implement the plan; delegation of authority; crisis communications protocols and identification of

alternative facilities and related infrastructure.

How should an institution address possible material hardships that students might face as a result of that

institution’s closing? OSHE recommends that institutions implement plans for appropriate, alternative accommodations for students

that either use the institution’s campus as their primary residence or who cannot easily return home in the event

of a campus shutdown. As part of this planning and preparation, institutions should consider options for making

the campus accessible to students who do not have another residence. Institutions should also consider either

preparing campus food pantries or working with local community food pantries to help food-insecure students

locate food sources.

I heard that the Governor has declared a State of Emergency. What does that mean? On March 9, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy declared a State of Emergency and a Public Health Emergency to

contain the spread of COVID-19. Executive Order No. 103 declares a state of emergency and public health

emergency across all of New Jersey, and allows state agencies and departments to utilize state resources to

assist affected communities responding to and recovering from COVID-19 cases. The declaration tasks the

State Director of Emergency Management and Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, in conjunction

with New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner to oversee the implementation of the State’s EOP and

generally direct the State’s emergency response.

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Additionally, the declaration triggers other executive powers and safeguards, such as prohibiting excessive price

increases pursuant to New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act and the ability to relax certain State procurement

procedures to expedite the delivery of goods and services necessary for coronavirus preparedness and response

efforts.

Governor Murphy’s emergency declaration also empowers all State agencies, specifically the Departments of

Banking and Insurance, Health, Human Services, and the Civil Service Commission to take all appropriate steps

to address the public health hazard of COVID-19.

The full text of Executive Order No. 103 can be found at https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-

103.pdf.

The Governor released travel directives restricting state travel. Does this extend to employees at public

institutions of higher education? The travel directives, which restrict international and domestic travel, apply only to executive branch agencies.

However, public institutions of higher education should continue to monitor the guidance provided by the DOH,

CDC and WHO in formulating travel guidelines. Institutions should consider limiting all non-essential travel,

both domestically and internationally.

Any person or group planning a trip abroad should consult the CDC’s travel website for current advisories

regarding any travel restrictions. The situation is rapidly evolving so travelers should stay up to date with

CDC’s travel health notices related to this outbreak at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-

ncov/travelers/index.html. The CDC has announced that these notices will be updated as more information

becomes available.

In regard to travel, what should we be doing for our study abroad programs? Institutions should postpone or cancel all study abroad programs and assist students in their return home.

Students returning from travel to areas with community spread of COVID-19 must follow guidance they have

received from health officials as referenced below under “If a student or staff member recently returned

from a level 3 country in the past 14 days…” COVID-19 information for travel is updated regularly on the

CDC’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.

What should we do about students traveling for spring break? The most recent state and federal guidance suggests postponing all non-essential travel both domestic and

international. Institutions should advise all students to consider the potential risks that may be involved in

visiting a destination, including the risk of transmission as well as the possibility of quarantine upon return.

Students should also be made aware that destinations where any sustained community transmission has been

identified should be avoided. Institutions should advise students that may be planning to travel outside of the

United States to consult the CDC website for current travel advisories regarding any restrictions on travel and

that they can obtain current information about travel health notices from the CDC related to this outbreak at

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.

If a student or staff member recently returned from a level 3 country in the past 14 days, should they be

excluded from work or school? There are now several countries identified by the CDC as level 3 (i.e. countries experiencing ongoing, sustained

community transmission of COVID-19). The CDC has issued travel advisories for level 3 countries at

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html. Students and staff returning from level 3

countries should follow all guidance provided by CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-

ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html.

What should an institution do if a student or staff member presents with symptoms of COVID-19?

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Institutions should encourage students or employees who exhibit signs of illness to return home and stay home.

In light of the urgency around this rapidly evolving situation, DOH recommends that institutions suspend any

requirement for students to obtain a doctor’s note in order to be excused from class.

Institutions should provide flexibility and assistance to ensure that employees and students can fully comply

with isolation or quarantine orders.

If a student’s primary residence is campus housing and they are under quarantine (self-quarantine or

quarantine order), what facilities should be provided? In the event that a student is quarantined in a residence hall on campus with a single, private room with access

to a private bathroom, the student may be able to quarantine in place. In addition, the CDC has approved the use

of hotels and motels for quarantine. OSHE recommends that institutions consult with local health department in

their community to obtain advice and recommendations on options for potential quarantine locations.

If my institution must utilize online programs or distance education to maintain continuity of instruction,

will additional approval from OSHE or the Presidents’ Council be required? Would additional approval

from accrediting bodies be required? Institutions do not need to obtain any additional approvals from OSHE or the Presidents’ Council to offer

currently approved academic programs in an online or distance education format. In regard to accreditation

requirements, the U.S. Department of Education is permitting accreditors to waive their distance education

review requirements for institutions working to accommodate students whose enrollment is otherwise

interrupted as a result of COVID-19. See this announcement for more information:

https://ifap.ed.gov/electronic-announcements/030520Guidance4interruptionsrelated2CoronavirusCOVID19.

However, your institution should consult with the applicable accreditors in regard to institutional and

programmatic requirements for the use of distance education.

In addition, OSHE strongly recommends that your institution join NC-SARA if your institution is not currently

a member of NC-SARA and there is a possibility that your institution may be offering distance education

programs to students while they are located outside of New Jersey. NC-SARA membership will allow your

institution to seamlessly offer distance education to students in every state except for California, as well as the

District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Please contact Eric Taylor at

eric.taylor@oshe.nj.gov for more information.

Does the requirement for my institution to report incidents per the Clery Act continue to apply when

students are temporarily residing off-campus in facilities provided by my institution, such as a hotel, and

if so, when does that reporting requirement begin to apply? Yes, institutions of higher education that are subject to the Clery Act’s reporting requirements must continue to

disclose campus security information even while students are temporarily residing off-campus in facilities

provided by the institution. The reporting requirement begins to apply immediately for any such period of

temporary residence by a student. For more detailed information, see The Handbook for Campus Safety and

Security Reporting (2016 Edition) https://clerycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/handbook-2.pdf.

Additional FAQs regarding the Clery Act are available here: https://clerycenter.org/article/covid-19-clery-act-

faqs/

What should an institution do if a student disobeys a quarantine order? Please contact the local health department in your community if you believe a quarantine order is needed, or if

someone has violated a quarantine order already in place.

Are there cleaning protocols for COVID-19 that institutions should be aware of? (Updated) Special sanitizing processes beyond routine cleaning, including closing schools to clean every surface in the

building, are not necessary or recommended by NJ Department of Health (DOH) to slow the spread of

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respiratory illness. Schools should follow standard procedures for routine cleaning and disinfecting with an

EPA-registered product. Typically, this means daily sanitizing surfaces and objects that are touched often, such

as desks, countertops, doorknobs, computer keyboards, hands-on learning items, faucet handles, phones and

toys.

DOH also recommends that employers increase education on respiratory hygiene. DOH recommends

preventing transmission of respiratory infections by taking the following steps:

Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or into your sleeve, not your hands.

Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Washing hands often for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing.

Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Staying home from work if you are sick.

Avoiding people who are sick.

Getting a flu shot – it is not too late to be protected.

Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and objects. In addition, the CDC has provided

environmental cleaning and disinfection recommendations for community facilities with suspected/confirmed

COVID-19 cases: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-

disinfection.html

How can institutions reduce fear and anxiety during this public health emergency? In recognition that public health emergencies can cause panic, it is important that institutions focus on sharing

only established facts with their community members. Raising awareness about the issue should be done

quickly, accurately, and transparently. Institutions should abide by rules of privacy and confidentiality in

dealing with any individuals on their campus who may be a patient. Institutions should continue to direct their

stakeholders to mental health resources available within the community. Institutions should commit to reducing

stigmatization of groups or individuals related to COVID-19. Additional guidance regarding stigma and

resilience is available on the CDC website here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/related-

stigma.html.

How can I help share facts and resources with higher education stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and

students? Institutions should consider including a direct link to COVID-19 resources on their institutional homepage, so

that it is readily available for stakeholders. The CDC has provided several resources

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/index.html) that can be printed and shared in

public areas, shared on social media or distributed via email. These resources currently include posters

detailing: facts about COVID-19, what to do if you are sick, how to stop the spread of germs, and how to

properly wash your hands. There are also videos and a public health image library available. In addition, the

DOH and OSHE will continue to post updates on their social media pages, which can be shared with

stakeholders. CDC resources are available here https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-

ncov/communication/index.html.

What if I still have questions? OSHE will continue to share updated guidance and information as it becomes available from DOH, CDC and

WHO. For health-related COVID-19 questions, please call the hotline run by the New Jersey Poison

Information and Education System (NJPIES) at 1-800-222-1222. If you are using an out-of-state phone line,

please call 1-800-962-1253. You can also email DOH subject matter experts at ncov@doh.nj.gov with

questions. Institutions can also continue to reach out to OSHE at O.OSHE@oshe.nj.gov.

Please follow OSHE on Twitter at @NJHigherEd and DOH

on Twitter @njdeptofhealth, Facebook /njdeptofhealth, Instagram @njdeptofhealth and Snapchat @njdoh for

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updates. OSHE has also added a direct link to our homepage for COVID-19 updates:

https://www.state.nj.us/highereducation/.

For additional information and guidance, please see the suggested resources below. The views expressed in

these resources do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the State of New Jersey. The content provided is

intended to serve as a resource and is provided in good faith.

COVID-2019 Resources

OSHE also created a COVID-19 resource webpage available at

https://nj.gov/highereducation/COVID-19.shtml

Governor Murphy

o Twitter @GovMurphy

o Twitter @NJGov

o COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/

o COVID-19 Job Board: https://jobs.covid19.nj.gov/

Office of the Secretary of Higher Education

o Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education -

https://nj.gov/highereducation/documents/pdf/index/COVID-

19_A%20Guide%20for%20New%20Jersey%20Institutions%20of%20Higher%20Education.pdf

o Twitter @NJHigherEd

NJ Department of Health - https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml

1-800-222-1222 or 1-800-962-1253 if using out-of-state phone line

o Novel Coronavirus COVID-2019 - https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml

o School Health - https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/schoolhealth.shtml

o School Exclusion List -

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/outbreaks/School%20Exclusion%20List_9.2018.

pdf

o Social Media:

Twitter @njdeptofhealth

Facebook /njdeptofhealth

Instagram@njdeptofhealth

Snapchat @njdoh

o NJ COVID-19 Dashboard - https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/covid2019_dashboard.shtml

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - https://www.cdc.gov/

o Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-

ncov/summary.html

o Resources for Institutes of Higher Education - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-

ncov/community/colleges-universities/index.html

o Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-

ncov/travelers/index.html

o Travelers from Countries with Widespread Sustained (Ongoing) Transmission Arriving in the

United States - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-

precautions.html

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o Home Isolation Guide – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-home-

care.html

o Nonpharmaceutical Interventions - https://www.cdc.gov/nonpharmaceutical-

interventions/index.html

o Twitter @CDCgov

World Health Organization (WHO) - https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-

2019

o World Health Organization @WHO

Local Health Department Directory - www.localhealth.nj.gov

NJ Office of Emergency Management

o Twitter @ReadyNJ

US Department of Education

o https://www.ed.gov/coronavirus

o Twitter @usedgov

American College Health Association -

https://www.acha.org/documents/resources/guidelines/ACHA_Preparing_for_COVID-19_March-3-

2020.pdf

State Higher Education Executive Officers Associations (SHEEO) - https://sheeo.org/covid-19-state-

plans/

Middle States Commission on Higher Education - https://www.msche.org/covid-19/